Wisconsin assembly leader wants mining bill by year’s end

MADISON, Wis. — Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder says he hopes to have mining legislation completed by the end of the year.

Suder, an Abbotsford Republican, made the remarks at a news conference Tuesday morning to announce Republicans were pushing ahead with their own efforts to expedite mining operations in northern Wisconsin.

Gogebic Taconite wants to mine iron ore just south of Lake Superior. The company claims the mine would create thousands of jobs, but wants assurances of an end point in the state’s permit process.

A special Senate committee is working on streamlining the process but no legislation has emerged yet.

Rep. Mary Williams, a Medford Republican and chairwoman of the Assembly jobs committee, has scheduled an informational hearing on mining in Hurley for Thursday.